Letters to the Editor

Coastal cost

Cost: Bob Brown says there is value in the wilderness of the West Coast if it can be protected from motorised transport.

THE Advocate has reported accurately my comments on the destructive impacts on Aboriginal heritage from off-road vehicle tracks south of the Pieman River.

However, I also pointed out that hundreds of people had walked on the coast between Sandy Cape and Pieman Heads this last summer, these visitors generated thousands of dollars in business and more jobs in the region. Bushwalkers, birdwatchers and people seeking to see the Aboriginal heritage in its ancient setting would be driven off the coast by off-road vehicles.

This fragile section of the coast should be kept free of motorised invasion.

Bob Brown, Hobart

Speed amazes

I finally had a chance to test the NBN satellite download speeds.

We are paying for 25/5 gig speed and yet on my download test last night we averaged 74mb per hour. That is 337 times less than what we are paying for.

How can the government stand by and let this happen?

Shane Rieder, Oldina

Political?

A non-profit organization Dads4Kids annually produces a TV commercial promoting Father’s Day as a community service announcement.

This year’s commercial - featuring a father singing his baby a lullaby - will not be broadcast after Free TV Australia, representing the free-to-air commercial networks, informed not-for-profit group Dads4Kids that it’s Father’s Day ads “likely contained political matter”. How bizarre is that?

Because the word “Dad” is used in the commercial, the thought police came up with the view that it represented a political statement.

These ads have been running for 15 years, so why the change?

You guessed it, a certain lobby group that promotes freedom of speech for their interests now wants to kill the ad because it may have some influence on the plebiscite.

For all people promoting “it’s all about love” be careful about what you wish for.

Ted Horlock, Latrobe

Co-operation

Collaboration, in the best possible way, has expressed itself between the Braddon Liberal team and the Waratah-Wynyard Council (Adv., Aug 31).

The focus here is of a seawall and boardwalk to be built in Wynyard, of which is a major part of the council’s Foreshore Environs Master Plan.

To put the bigger picture into perspective, and to provide context, Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff states, “The community quite rightly wanted something to happen here that naturally enhances the wharf precinct and fixes up that wall”.

Rockliff, alongside his team, is of the view that the wharf precinct needs reinvigorating. Essentially, the initiative here will result in an aesthetic improvement, and thus will develop tourism in the area.

Further to the above, what’s worth noting here is, this important initiative, which involves the local council, is happening now – it’s not an election commitment.

Paris Shacklock, Devonport

Fare go

We had relatives who were coming to Tasmania and had booked a return trip on the Spirit but had to cancel due to a serious illness on the family.

They were only given back 20 per cent of their fare.

What a total rip off this considering the fact that this cabin would be rebooked and there would be no loss to the TT Line.

This government has to get serious and look into what happens with these boats.

Leanne Reardon, South Riana

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